Space Renews Push To Crack Down On Illegal Immigration

Press Release

Renewing his commitment to border security, Congressman Zack Space (OH-18) today joined with a bipartisan group of lawmakers in reintroducing the Secure America through Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act. This legislation would provide the tools necessary to crack down on illegal immigration, secure our border, and require employer verification.

"We have an ongoing crisis of illegal immigration in our nation today," Space said. "Once again, we are asking our colleagues to heed our call to action."

"Now is the time to act. This is not only a matter of protecting our jobs, but a matter of national security. If we cannot control who is coming across our borders, we leave ourselves vulnerable to those who wish to do us harm," Space continued.

The SAVE Act would do the following:

Securing America's International Borders

* Increases Border Patrol agents by 6,000, utilizes new technology and infrastructure to secure the border and expands anti-smuggling enforcement programs.
* Outlines provisions for recruitment of new agents and personnel through bonuses, student loan repayments, and other financial incentives. Emphasizes recruitment of former members of the Armed Services and reserve components.
* Creates a pilot program to increase aerial surveillance, satellite, and equipment sharing between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense to save taxpayer dollars.

Ending Unlawful Employment

* Expands the E-Verify program and makes it mandatory for all employers.
o E-Verify provides employers with an inexpensive, quick, and accurate way to verify employment authorization and utilizes the same information as the Form I-9.
o E-Verify is an existing system which has shown tremendous success, and is used on a voluntary basis by over 100,000 employers. According to USCIS, 99.6% of all work-authorized employees are immediately cleared through the system, while the remainder are given clear instructions on how to correct their information.
* Provides for increased monitoring of compliance by E-Verify users to ensure that employers are utilizing the system properly and in accordance with all laws and regulations.
* Requires notification of individuals whose Social Security Numbers (SSN) may have been stolen and are being fraudulently used. Provides information on how to report SSN theft and misuse and requires that information on unresolved cases be shared with DHS.
* Requires information sharing between DHS, the Social Security Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service.

Enhancing and Utilizing Current Interior Enforcement Methods

* Increases investigative abilities of ICE by employing more agents and makes grants available to certain local law enforcement agencies.
* Expedites the processing and removal of illegal aliens by expanding detention capacity and increasing the number of Immigration Judges.

Congressman Space has represented Ohio's 18th Congressional District since 2007. He is working to restore integrity to the office and create the conditions to bring new industry and jobs to Ohio.

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